Bassett confirm Men’s First Team management for 2022-23 season

Thursday 26th May 2022

Royal Wootton Bassett Town are pleased to confirm its Men's First Team management setup for the 2022-23 season.

Sam Collier will again lead Bassett. Having taken over the position in January 2018, Collier is Bassett's longest-serving manager since Dave Turner and will reach his fifth anniversary in charge midway through the upcoming season.

He will have a new face alongside him in the dugout with Alan Griffin taking over the role of assistant manager. Griffin featured for Bassett as a player in 2021-22, scoring 16 goals in 32 appearances, while also offering valuable leadership as one of the most senior and experienced members of the squad.

Having spent most of his decorated playing career in the Southern League, Griffin knows what it takes to perform at a high level. He also brings management and coaching experience, having served as Malmesbury Victoria player-manager in their 2015-16 Wiltshire League promotion winning campaign.

Griffin replaces Matt Bulman, who has served as Collier's loyal assistant for each of the past three seasons and has recently taken the decision to stand down. Tom Jones, who has served in a coaching capacity since the 2020-21 campaign, has also moved on in pursuit of a new challenge.

The club would like to thank Bulman and Jones for their commitment during their time with Bassett. Both have served the club well and contributed towards the success the Men's First Team have had over the past couple of seasons. We wish them all the best for the future.

Meanwhile, Collier and Griffin will also receive support from Mark Simpkins, who has been promoted from his role as Development team coach to that of Head Coach across the club's Senior Men's Section. In his position, Simpkins will have responsibilities covering the Men's First and Development teams as well as the Under 18 Floodlit side.

A former Bassett captain, Simpkins played a valuable role in the dugout and on the training pitch with the Development team in 2021-22, ultimately helping them win the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division title.

Together, the trio will be tasked with guiding Bassett up in the table and to finally achieve a top half finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division, while also hopefully continuing the success the side have enjoyed in cup competitions over the past two seasons, which has seen record-breaking runs in the FA Vase and FA Cup as well as a Hellenic League Challenge Cup semi-final appearance.

Commenting on the decisions made, Head of Senior Section Paul Davis said: "It's great to be able to confirm that Sam has committed for another season."

"I'm sure he'll be well supported by Griff, who showed his leadership qualities as a player last season and will bring a fresh perspective to the management team."

"And with Mark on board in his new role, he'll be able to offer additional support, while also continuing to bring our men's and Under 18s teams closer together."

"We're confident that we've got the right setup – and one that can help deliver success next season."

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Pre-season training for the Men's First Team – as well as the club's Development side – will begin on Thursday 23 June at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.

Last modified on Thursday 26th May 2022 at 16:00.